Category: Living Room

As the Fourth nears, I thought it would be fun to continue a loose tradition over here on Always Summer to post Red, White, and Blue inspired rooms about this time every year (or so.) In the past, I’ve posted photos of projects done by other designers. This year, I wanted to keep it “internal” and post pretty projects by our people! Since they are magnanimously talented, and all! 😉

As I was searching for pretty pictures to share, the majority of what I found was BLUE related, so today, let’s celebrate some blue, shall we?

Blue is the color of the sky and the sea, making me thankful of all the freedoms we have here in the USA. Blue is associated with depth and stability. And those who fight for our country definitely give us that. Many shades of blue are beneficial to the mind and the body, fostering a sense of calmness and serenity. So, as you can see, blue is a color worth celebrating!

Here is a roundup of blue I think you’ll enjoy. Feast your eyes!

Design by Lindsey Townsend. Photo by Jean Allsopp.

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Anna Goodson.

Design by Lindsey Townsend. Photo by Anna Goodson.

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Jean Allsopp.

Design by Elish Moon. Photo by Anna Goodson.

Design by Lindsey Townsend

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Jean Allsopp.

Design by Lisa Palmer

Design by Lisa Palmer

SummerHouse Oxford Showroom

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Anna Goodson.

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Anna Goodson.

Design by Lisa Palmer. Photo by Jean Allsopp.

I love ALL of those spaces! Blue is not only beautiful in design, but it serves such a great purpose in relaxing us and reminding us of freedom. So take in all the blue. And red and white while you’re at it. And have a very happy 4th!

We are so excited to share this newly photographed project with y’all today! Designer Elish Moon has worked diligently with this client and has turned this house into a stunning home. We love the simplicity and style. It could not be more welcoming! Take a look around… 🙂

So pretty, Elish! We love all the beautiful detail. Especially in that last shot! 😉

Thank y’all for stopping in today! We hope you’re having an excellent week!

If there is one thing we hear often as designers, it is about the difficulty of styling a coffee table. This is in fact a difficult feat if you don’t know what you’re doing! So we are here to help 🙂

We asked each of our designers to take their favorite coffee table on our showroom floors, clear it completely off, and style it as if it was their own. We feel very inspired by the tables they put together, and we picked up some helpful tips along the way! Have a look at each of their styles, then keep reading for a handful of style tricks and tips.

Be sure to vary the heights of the accessories you add. This adds an incredible amount of interest.

Mixing old/rustic with modern/new can be fun, if this is in keeping with the style of the rest of the room.

Pick a simple color story and stick to it.

Add interest with a metallic accessory.

When in doubt, coffee table books.

Trays and boxes add organization, layering, and function. If your coffee table is an upholstered piece, a tray can also serve as a place to set a drink.

Is your coffee table in a room where guests tend to gather? Add a game, or a decanter and cocktail glasses, or an conversation piece from your recent travels. Let your coffee table make your job as a host just a little bit easier!

Here are a few more pretty shots from these styled tables. We hope you find some good inspiration! And please do not hesitate to call a designer for help! That is what we do! 😉

SummerHouse Oxford Interior Designer Laurie Conway recently completed a beautiful install that we are dying to tell you more about! You may recall seeing a photo or two of this room on social media, but today we’re giving you all the details! Laurie was kind enough to answer a few questions we had about this project, so let’s see what she has to say…

What pieces did the client already have that you worked around?

This client had moved from Memphis and had done a lot in her home herself. She came to me and said, “I need help… I have no idea what to do with this room.” She had a few antique pieces in the room but we decided to relocate them in the house and start new so it was a clean slate. The shape of the room, however, was a huge challenge. She had fabulous natural light but the room had so many openings that space planning was more difficult.

What was your basis for the colors used in the room?

I started with the rug. The size was just perfect! I pulled the soft blues and neutrals from it for my color palette. The natural light helped me keep the room clean and airy. I wanted to ground the wall opposite of the fireplace with something to balance it, which is where we introduced a darker element.

What did you enjoy most about this particular project?

I loved the clients! It is so great when you and your client can visualize together. They are great art lovers so it was so much fun to help them find great pieces. The two gold pieces over the chairs flanking the secretary are from View Gallery.

What else do we need to know about this room?!

Because this room is used to pass through to other rooms, the furniture had to be strategically placed. I went with a symmetrical layout. And as I mentioned before, I chose a light palette and balanced the wall across from the fireplace with the Secretary in a darker finish. We were so pleased with the turnout.

/ / / / / / / / / /

We love it, Laurie! Great colors and beautiful selections. Couldn’t be prettier!

We are SO thrilled to have a new project by Interior Designer Lindsey Townsend up on our project site! This project, called Stone Lake, is a beautiful home that Lindsey has worked on since the very beginning stages. If you follow her on Instagram, you might remember seeing progress photos from this project.

Here are a few of our favorite snaps from this home. Now that it is completed, it could not be any more perfect. We love every detail!

There is a brand new magazine out in Mississippi called VERVE, and one of Lisa’s projects landed on the cover of the current issue! Having one of our designers’ projects featured is always such an honor, especially when it winds up on the cover of the publication!

This space was designed by our leading lady Lisa Palmer. It was a complete and total transformation, as this client started with an entirely blank slate. “The first time I went to this client’s house, he had one rug and four or five pieces of furniture. That was it!”

Lisa took his empty house and made it a rich, cozy, masculine home. Neither Lisa nor her client could have been more pleased with the result!

To read more about this project, plus to find out more about the spring design trends that we are extra excited to see popping up, grab a copy of VERVE whenever you see one!

We recently added a charming little vignette to our Ridgeland showroom from the new Bungalow Classic collection for Highland House that we are more than in love with!

“The BUNGALOW CLASSIC duo Randy and Courtney Tilinski, also known as “Mr. and Mrs. Bungalow”, bring their design talents and signature style to their new BUNGALOW CLASSIC COLLECTION for HIGHLAND HOUSE. Inspired by their love of travel, fashion, and all-things-home, the collection captures the refined, yet approachable, aesthetic the dynamic couple are known for.”

We welcome the pieces of this collection to our Ridgeland showroom. We can’t wait for more pieces to arrive! We love this refined whimsy and think you will as well.

Designer Elish Phares Moon recently wrapped up a design project in Texas after a long distance working relationship with her clients, whom she has never before met face to face! This project is so interesting because it shows us what fabulous designers, understanding clients, great communication, and a great delivery team can accomplish! We asked Elish to share a little more about the project and how it worked because we are just so darn impressed with how it all turned out!

“In December of 2016, I had an inquiry about design services and potential work with some clients in Spring Valley, Texas. This young couple had just purchased their dream home and had budgeted for working with a designer to nail down the look they wanted in their main rooms. Focusing on the dining room, living room, and master bedroom, we discussed design direction in depth and committed to a tight timeline. Because the couple wanted to be able to move in to completely furnished rooms by their closing date, I brainstormed the initial design scheme with Lisa Palmer, SummerHouse’s owner and principal designer, to speed up the process. (I got my start at SummerHouse as her assistant before moving on to a full time designer.) She and I work well together and were able to streamline the couple’s vision into a beautiful and functional design for their young family quickly.”

The key to working with a client long-distance is transparency and communication. We put together a detailed presentation packet complete with samples and swatches that were clearly labeled. Two of my strengths are organization and communication, so I actually really enjoy working on out-of-

state projects! Our clients asked detailed questions and gave us great feedback. After a few minor changes we got everything on order and began our countdown until the install! Thanks to understanding clients dedicated to quality design, trusted vendors, an experienced delivery team, and a little patience, this project evolved into a finished design that I take pride in and that my clients enjoy!”

Beautiful job, Elish! Such a great result. We love seeing a good, challenging design project come to completion! 🙂

We’ve recently added several brand new projects to our newly relaunched summerhouseinteriordesign.com site! We’ve also added new photos to existing projects, like this one! Here are some of the shots we added, plus a few more lagniappe photos of the gorgeous formal living room in this Jackson home. Enjoy!

We love the unique color palette in this space. This room makes us want to make a cocktail, sit down on that divine sofa, and just take in the beautiful surroundings! 🙂 Care to join us!? 😉

Have you seen the latest issue of Social South Magazine?! Designer Mary Courtney Johns designed a beautiful condo in Oxford that was featured in the pages of this issue! This Refined Retreat is where this client’s family spends many weekends enjoying football season, off weekends in the fastest growing city in Mississippi, and precious time with family.

Check out the full issue here, and enjoy a few extra photos of Mary Courtney’s design here!

We just love how this cozy little retreat turned out! Great job, MC!

If you’ve got a home or condo that needs the touch of a SummerHouse designer, don’t hesitate to give us a call! 601-853-4445.

And for more living room inspo, be sure to check out this gallery, in which one of these photos is featured! This is a great collection of spaces and we’re honored to be a part!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! We hope you’re having a great week so far!

We gave our newest designer Katie Carone the task of putting together a living room with all new furniture but on a somewhat tight budget! She’s put this entire room together for under $15,000! Now keep in mind that this is ALL new furniture, so even if $15,000 doesn’t seem low to you, picking just a few new pieces for a certain room can really bring your existing pieces to life by only spending a fraction of this.

We love the beautiful living room she’s put together using our more well-priced designer lines! Here is more information on each piece!

Art // $1140

Cowhide Rug // $540

Grace Coffee Table // $2245

Callie Lamps // $685 each

Cole Drinking Table // $1085

Albion Sofa with three contrast pillows // $2431

Franco Chairs // $1716 each

Jolene Side Table // $855

Trudy Oval Side Table // $855

8 x 10 Sedona Sisal Rug // $390

Grand total // $14,343

Katie went with one of Lisa’s favorite design M.O.s that she calls “high/low.” This is where, even if most pieces in a space are budget conscious (or “low”), splurging on a couple of items (“high”) can really elevate the level of the entire design. Katie’s splurges were the lamps and the drinking table.

“The lamps are very transitional pieces and could be used throughout the house in several different places. On console tables, on bedside tables… So many places! And I love the acrylic base. It gives it an element of high design.”

“I aboslutely drool over that drinking table. Black and gold is my obsession! I know it’s more expensive, but when you find one piece you absolutely love, you just can’t compromise. It gives the room that wow factor!”

Katie Carone

“I love the idea of ordering a sofa that comes standard with contrast pillows like this one. You can order them in a different fabric and use them somewhere completely different, like on a guest bed or in some side chairs.”

“Revere Pewter is one of my absolute favorite paint colors– it would be really nice in this room. I love that you can use browns and grays with it!”

/ / / / / / / / / /

Thank you so much, Katie! We love what you’ve pulled together! If you have any more questions about these pieces, give Katie a call! 601-853-4445

Lucite, also known as acrylic, has recently become a huge trend in the modern world of interior design. It is a great way to introduce a modern touch to any room as well as create a fabulous mix of materials! We have rounded up seven lucite pieces we are loving ranging from a bar cart to ottomans and even a desk!

Doesn’t it add a chic touch to these pieces?! If you see something you love, give us a call or shoot us an email – click here for our contact info! We also have a variety of lucite pieces currently in the showroom that one of our designers would love to show you!

A tufted sofa is always a winner. It makes a statement, yet it is understated. It’s timeless, yet modern. It’s unexpected, yet blends perfectly with its surroundings. A tufted sofa might be just the thing to take your seating area from mediocre to magnificent with the purchase of just one single piece!

We rounded up six beautiful, yet very different tufted sofas for you to feast your eyes upon today… Which style most steals your heart?!

MARQUETTE

BYATT

ARDEN

CHESTER

APARTMENT

REYNOLDS

Do you love tufting as much as we do!?

Let our designers know if you see something you want to know more about! We are here and happy to help!

When designer Elish Phares Moon fist met with new client Dot, who she refers to as one of her sweetest clients, their personalities automatically clicked! As Elish began to talk through designing Dot’s new town home, which was a downsize from where she previously lived, Elish found that the most important thing to Dot was keeping a feeling of spaciousness despite the decreased square footage.

Of designing the space, Elish says, “the biggest challenge in this space was creating adequate seating and keeping symmetry without sacrificing an open floor plan.”

Dot was very open to Elish’s design direction but wanted to still be able to showcase her own personality, which Elish was completely open to! Dot’s living area turned out to be a perfect reflection of her: timeless with a bit of spunk!

Elish’s favorite aspect of the space was the beautiful skirted sofa and leather ottoman. “It feels like a space that could have passed for a traditional sitting room yet is still cozy and inviting. Plus Dot is the consummate hostess and always keeps fresh flowers in a little vase on the ottoman that doubles as her coffee table.”

This design is truly a wonderful example of a designer/client working relationship.

“Dot was very trusting of my expertise but made sure that we had specific places where her personality showed through. She hand selected the accent pillows on the sofa from a trip to Philadelphia; They marry perfectly with the subtle hues I already selected for the living area,” says Elish!

We love how it all turned out! Thank you, Elish and Dot, for contributing! 🙂

We love a great wing chair. They work well as pairs flanking fireplaces or library tables, or as a foursomes in a chat group. They’re even great as individuals in the corner of a room with a little side table or a floor lamp!

We also love the wide variety of styles in which wing chairs come! Here are just a few that we have used in projects, had on our showroom floor, or have been eyeing for a while now just waiting on that perfect project to come along! 😉

^^^ Lee Industries L1905-01 Chair

^^^ Vanguard James Street Wing Chair

^^^ Hickory Chair Josephine Wing Chair

^^^ Vanguard Duke Chair

^^^ Lee Industries 1347-01 Chair

^^^ Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Vivianne Leather Chair

^^^ Lee Industries 1691-01 Chair

Shop our current selection of wing chairs (and other chairs too!) on the web store right here or come visit the showroom to see what all we have in house!

As we do almost every week, we’ve changed up our showroom once again! And it is looking great! Marty and her team of help always do an incredible job of moving things around, bringing new things over, and accessorizing to perfection!

We want “our house” to be new and exciting and inviting each time you come visit, so if you haven’t been in the past week or so, it’s time to come back for a visit!

Next week, we should be all decorated for Christmas, so you’ll definitely want to stop by and see how that looks! 😉

Reminder: Don’t forget about our fall sale going on right now! We have some pretty incredible markdowns all throughout the store. Like this entire table of lamps… all 35% off!

Thanks for stopping by today! We hope you had a great weekend and that your new week is off to a great start!

With Barbara Westbrook gracing our shop with her presence in just two weeks, we thought we’d take a close look at some of her beautiful work, all of which is featured in the book she will be signing, Gracious Rooms!

How gorgeous are these spaces…

3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 17th is when the fun goes down! We look forward to seeing you!

GET SOCIAL

FOLLOW OUR BLOG:

MEET OUR EDITOR

Hi! My name is Laurel Donahoo and I'm the editor for Always Summer! I have been on the SummerHouse team since 2007 and have loved every minute of it! My southern roots, love of design, and appreciation for the talent of my incredible coworkers makes managing this blog one of my most favorite things to do! When I'm not blogging, I like spending time at home with my husband, kids, and pups or cooking, taking weekend trips, or planning my next design project for my own home!

Feel free to E-mail me with any blog questions, comments, ideas, or collaboration pitches! Thank you so much for stopping by today!

No matter what size your project is, or where in the U.S. you live, we can help make your design dreams reality! Give a SummerHouse Interior Designer a call and get one step closer to creating a more beautiful home! pic.twitter.com/iGMjl9VHE0